John 3:16 – Memorized by most Protestants, perhaps we
should too! – for God so loved the world – central teaching of the NT. That we
might have eternal life!
Today’s Gospel Recalls the Exodus story – snakes
biting people – Moses was told: mount the snake on a pole and anyone who looks
at it will be healed. Became symbol of medical profession. Caduceus
Strange – that which caused death now becomes the
instrument of life?! A sign of what was
to happen later: Jesus nailed the snake – the Evil One – to the cross. He took
the weight of all sin upon His shoulders!
The cross – In the early Church, Christians DID NOT
want to pray in front of one or wear one. Go to catacombs - no crosses – more like Xst the Good Shepherd
or the Lamb of God. It was simply too close in time to Jesus’ Crucifixion –
plus Romans still used crucifixion.
Only after 300 years could they look at it again. Devotion began to take off when St. Helen
discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem.
So developed the idea of a crucifix - cruci fixus – fixed
to the cross. INRI Today we
expect to see one in a Catholic Church. Many of us have one hanging over our bed.
Other devotions began to develop:
Sign of the Cross: around the 200’s – in the name of
the Father Orthodox: 3 fingers: Trinity –
Two fingers: divinity and humanity of Jesus. Mother had holy water font at door: bless
yourself. Do it morning at night – Bless children as well!
Stations of the Cross
Via Crusis – Via Dolorosa
(sorrow) Began obviously in
Jerusalem – Franciscans had idea of bringing it to churches “We adore you O Christ and we praise you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.” St. Francis
Pilate washing hands, Soldiers mocking, Meeting his
mother, Simon steps in to help, Veronica wipes his face, Mary Magdalene &
John stay close by, Joseph of Aramethea gives own tomb.
So why the Cross?
1) Look what he
did for us - God so loved the world . .
.
2) We all have
a share of the cross Church is a
meeting of cross bearers . . . look around you, no one here without splinters
in shoulders.
3) Difference
we can make .. help others carry
cross a support group for people with
weighty crosses.
So, we live by sign of the cross – prayer, around our
necks, meeting rooms, homes, offices, classrooms.
John 3:16 -
